Catalogue of the moniligastrid earthworms (Clitellata, Moniligastrida, Moniligastridae) of the world.

This study presents a comprehensive catalogue of the moniligastrid earthworms (Moniligastrida, Moniligastridae) of the world. A total of 176 valid species/subspecies belonging to 5 genera are known to exist in this primitive family. Drawida is the speciose genus with 147 species/subspecies. Of the various moniligastrids, three species of Drawida are considered as peregrine outside its normal Asian range. Among the valid species, occurrence of 30.68% are known only from the type locality. It is noteworthy that the types of 125 (71.02%) species are currently known to exist in various repositories around the world. The existence of the remaining species can only be inferred from the literature since their types are either non-existent, missing, dried out, or lost. Present catalogue includes valid scientific names, synonyms, type locality, type respository details along with registration number, geographic distribution pattern within its native range, and references.

Redescription of the earthworm Moniligaster gravelyi Stephenson, 1915 (Clitellata, Moniligastridae) based on recent collections from Kerala state, India.

Earthworms of the genus Moniligaster Perrier, 1872 can be distinguished from other genera of the family Moniligastridae by the presence of spermathecal atrial glands. Moniligaster gravelyi Stephenson, 1915 has so far been known only from a single specimen, and it is the only species with supposed single spermathecal atrial gland in the genus. Hence, this species has been a subject to some taxonomic confusion. Here, M. gravelyi is redescribed from new material collected and illustrated for the first time. The current study expanded its description and provided a more comprehensive taxonomic characterization of the species. Comparison of the species with closely related species are also made. Apart from this detailed information on its habitat and geographical range is also provided.

Super Stretchable and Compressible Hydrogels Inspired by Hook-and-Loop Fasteners.

Inspired by hook-and-loop fasteners, we designed a hydrogel network containing α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) two-dimensional nanosheets with a high density of surface hydroxyl groups serving as nanopatches with numerous "hooks," while polymer chains with plentiful amine functional groups serve as "loops." Our multiscale molecular simulations confirm that both the high density of hydroxyl groups on nanosheets and the large number of amine functional groups on polymer chains are essential to achieve reversible interactions at the molecular scale, functioning as nano hook-and-loop fasteners to dissipate energy. As a result, the synthesized hydrogel possesses superior stretchability (>2100% strain), resilience to compression (>90% strain), and durability. Remarkably, the hydrogel can sustain >5000 cycles of compression with torsion in a solution mimicking synovial fluid, thus promising for potential biomedical applications such as artificial articular cartilage. This hook-and-loop model can be adopted and generalized to design a wide range of multifunctional materials with exceptional mechanical properties.

Three new species and four new species records of earthworms of the genus emMoniligaster/em Perrier, 1872 (Clitellata: Moniligastridae) from Kerala region of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India.

Three new species of Moniligaster Perrier, 1872, namely M. bahli Narayanan Julka, sp. nov., M. blakemorei Narayanan Julka, sp. nov. and M. keralensis Narayanan Julka, sp. nov. are described from materials collected from the Indian state of Kerala. Moniligaster cernosvitovi Gates, 1962, Moniligaster horsti Gates, 1940, Moniligaster michaelseni Gates, 1940 and Moniligaster stephensoni Gates, 1940 are recorded for the first time from the state. With the new findings, a total of 10 Moniligaster species are known from Kerala. Moniligaster species are restricted to southern peninsular India, except Moniligaster ivaniosi Manazhy, 2011, decribed from the Andaman Islands, outside the currently known distributional range of the genus. Hence we critically reviewed the original description and reinvestigated the holotype. As a result, Moniligaster ivaniosi is considered a junior synonym of Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen, 1907.

Checklist of the earthworms (Oligochaeta) of Kerala, a constituent of Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India.

A checklist of earthworm species hitherto known from Kerala, a constituent of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India, is presented. In total, 88 species and subspecies are recorded, of which 55 are Kerala endemics, 9 near endemics, 14 exotics and 10 native peregrines. These belong to 26 genera and 9 families. The checklist includes the literature citation to the original description, type locality, any significant subsequent generic placements, and the district distributional pattern for each species/ subspecies.

Endovascular Treatment versus Best Medical Treatment in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment has emerged as a minimally invasive technique for patients with acute ischemic stroke to achieve recanalization. Our aim was to determine the effects of endovascular treatment on clinical and safety outcomes compared with best medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen randomized trials that compared endovascular treatment with best medical treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke met the inclusion criteria. We calculated pooled odds ratios and 95% CIs by using random-effects models. The primary end point was a favorable outcome defined by a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 (no symptoms), 1 (no significant disability), or 2 (slight disability) at 90 days postrandomization. RESULTS: Of the 2980 subjects randomized, the proportion of subjects who achieved a favorable outcome was significantly greater among those randomized to endovascular treatment compared with best medical treatment (2949 subjects analyzed; odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.38-2.40; P < .001). Excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1) was also significantly greater among those randomized to endovascular treatment (2791 subjects analyzed; odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.29-2.43, P < .001). Risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was similar between endovascular treatment and best medical treatment (2906 subjects analyzed; odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.84-1.68; P = .34). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with best medical treatment, the odds of achieving a favorable outcome or excellent outcome at 3 months postrandomization are approximately 80% higher with endovascular treatment among patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Survival of multi-drug resistant enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella paratyphi in Vembanadu lake as a function of saltwater barrier along southwest coast of India.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the survival response of multi-drug resistant enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella paratyphi to the salinity fluctuations induced by a saltwater barrier constructed in Vembanadu lake, which separates the lake into a freshwater dominated southern and brackish water dominated northern part. Therefore, microcosms containing freshwater, brackish water and microcosms with different saline concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ppt) inoculated with E. coli/S. paratyphi were monitored up to 34 days at 20 and 30 °C. E. coli and S. paratyphi exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival at 20 °C compared to 30 °C in all microcosms. Despite fresh/brackish water, E. coli and S. paratyphi showed prolonged survival up to 34 days at both temperatures. They also demonstrated better survival potential at all tested saline concentrations except 25 ppt where a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) decay was observed. Therefore, enhanced survival exhibited by the multi-drug resistant enteropathogenic E. coli and S. paratyphi over a wide range of salinity levels suggest that they are able to remain viable for a very long time at higher densities in all seasons of the year in Vembanadu lake irrespective of saline concentrations, and may pose potential public health risks during recreational activities.

Accumulation of mercury and other heavy metals in edible fishes of Cochin backwaters, Southwest India.

Mercury, a global pollutant, has become a real threat to the developing countries like India and China, where high usage of mercury is reported. Mercury and other heavy metals deposited in to the aquatic system can cause health risk to the biota. The common edible fishes such as Mugil cephalus, Arius arius, Lutjanus ehrenbergii, Etroplus suratensis were collected from Cochin backwaters, Southwest India and analysed for mercury and other heavy metals (zinc, cadmium, lead and copper) in various body parts. Kidney and liver showed highest concentration of metals in most fishes. The omnivore and bottom feeder (E. suratensis) showed high concentration of mercury (14.71 mg/kg dry weight) and other metals (1.74 mg/g-total metal concentration). The average mercury concentration obtained in muscle was 1.6 mg/kg dry weight (0.352 mg/kg wet weight), which is higher than the prescribed limits (0.3 mg/kg wet weight). The concentration of other heavy metals in the muscles of fishes were found in a decreasing order Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb and are well below WHO permissible limits that were safe for human consumption. Metal selectivity index (MSI) obtained for all the metals except mercury showed that both carnivores and omnivores have almost same kind of affinity towards the metals especially Zn and Cd, irrespective of their feeding habit. The MSI values also indicate that the fishes have the potential to accumulate metals. High tissue selectivity index (TSI) values were reported for kidney, muscle and brain for all metals suggests that the metal concentration in these tissues can serve as an indication of metal polluted environment. Even if the daily intakes of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu from these fishes are within the provisional maximum daily intake recommended by WHO/FAO, the quality is questionable due to the high hazard index obtained for mercury (>1). Fishes like E. suratensis being a favourite food of people in this region, the high consumption of it can lead to chronic disorders as this fish has high concentration of metals.

Potential public health significance of faecal contamination and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella serotypes in a lake in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of faecal coliform bacteria and multiple drug resistance among Escherichia coli and Salmonella serotypes from Vembanadu Lake. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic microbiological testing. METHODS: Monthly collection of water samples were made from ten stations on the southern and northern parts of a salt water regulator constructed in Vembanadu Lake in order to prevent incursion of seawater during certain periods of the year. Density of faecal colifrom bacteria was estimated. E. coli and Salmonella were isolated and their different serotypes were identified. Antibiotic resistance analysis of E. coli and Salmonella serotypes was done and the MAR index of individual isolates was calculated. RESULTS: Density of faecal coliform bacteria ranged from mean MPN value 2900 -7100/100ml. Results showed multiple drug resistance pattern among the bacterial isolates. E. coli showed more than 50% resistance to amickacin, oxytetracycline, streptomycin, tetracycline and kanamycin while Salmonella showed high resistance to oxytetracycline, streptomycin, tetracycline and ampicillin. The MAR indexing of the isolates showed that they have originated from high risk source such as humans, poultry and dairy cows. CONCLUSIONS: The high density of faecal coliform bacteria and prevalence of multi drug resistant E. coli and Salmonella serotypes in the lake may pose severe public health risk through related water borne and food borne outbreaks.

Comparison of metal accumulation in the selected fishes from two sites of Vembanad backwaters, Kerala, India.

The edible fishes Etroplus suratensis and Arius arius were collected from two different sites of Vembanad backwaters. Accumulation of heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in different tissues of these fishes were analysed. Kidneys showed maximum accumulation of all the metals in both the fishes. Lead and copper were high in Kumarakom (Site-I) and zinc and cadmium in Cochin (Site-2) of the Vembanad backwaters. The study revealed that both the fishes were highly contaminated with metals.

Gold nanoparticles with externally controlled, reversible shifts of local surface plasmon resonance bands.

We have achieved reversible tunability of local surface plasmon resonance in conjugated polymer functionalized gold nanoparticles. This property was facilitated by the preparation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) containing polynorbornene brushes on gold nanoparticles via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Reversible tuning of the surface plasmon band was achieved by electrochemically switching the EDOT polymer between its reduced and oxidized states.

Phytofiltration of cadmium from water by Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau grown in free-floating culture system.

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to examine the phytofiltration of Cd by Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau grown in low-level Cd-contaminated water. For this, 45 d old seedlings of L .flava were transferred to a floating-support culture system containing nutrient solution spiked with four levels of Cd (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg l(-1)) and were separately harvested after 3, 7, 21 and 30 d. After 30 d harvesting, the percentage removal of Cd from the above four treatments reached up to 98, 96, 95 and 93%, respectively. Interestingly, all treatments had higher growth rate than control at 95% confidence level and plants still remained healthy at 4 mg l(-1) Cd exposure. The bioaccumulation study showed a linear relationship of Cd (R(2)=0.896-0.999) in all plant parts with the exposure time (3-30 d) and Cd concentrations in hydroponics system (0.5-4 mg l(-1)). Although, the root of L. flava had higher Cd concentration than leaf and peduncles, the total Cd concentrations in aerial plant parts were higher than the roots. The maximum bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) value of L. flava were calculated as 984.42 and 1.43, respectively. Estimated Cd accumulation capacity of L. flava per unit area (m(2)) was found to be in the range of 218. 35-1698.92 mg m(-2).The experimental results demonstrated that L. flava is a suitable candidate for the phytofiltartion (>93%) of Cd from low-level Cd-contaminated water.

Monitoring conservation effectiveness in a global biodiversity hotspot: the contribution of land cover change assessment.

Tropical forests, which play critical roles in global biogeochemical cycles, radiation budgets and biodiversity, have undergone rapid changes in land cover in the last few decades. This study examines the complex process of land cover change in the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats, India, specifically investigating the effects of conservation measures within the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. Current vegetation patterns were mapped using an IRS P6 LISS III image and this was used together with Landsat MSS data from 1973 to map land cover transitions. Two major and divergent trends were observed. A dominant degradational trend can be attributed to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development while a successional trend, resulting from protection of the area, showed the resilience of the system after prolonged disturbances. The sanctuary appears susceptible to continuing disturbances under the current management regime but at lower rates than in surrounding unprotected areas. The study demonstrates that remotely sensed land cover assessments can have important contributions to monitoring land management strategies, understanding processes underpinning land use changes and helping to inform future conservation strategies.

Poly(allylamine)-encapsulated water-soluble CdSe nanocrystals.

Water-soluble CdSe nanocrystal/poly(allylamine) clusters with sizes ranging between 50 and 200 nm were prepared using 3-amino-1-propanol as a compatibilizing agent. Photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (QY) up to 20% were achieved in water without the need to clad these CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) with higher band gap inorganic layers. The polymer-to-nanocrystal ratio plays an important role in the internal structure and stability of these polymer/NC clusters, as determined by static and dynamic light scattering in conjunction with PL studies. These results were modeled by using an effective-mass approximation and perturbation theory on the change in dielectric constant of the immediate NC environment. The time evolution of the average cluster radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius revealed that a higher polymer-to-NC ratio leads to increased PL stability and QY. This is a result of a denser cluster configuration, which affords improved NC passivation. Increasing the ionic strength results in greater nanocluster compaction and higher PL QYs. Decreasing the pH value below 12 resulted in dramatic reduction in PL brightness, despite cluster densification, due to partial ionization and dissolution of the amine-based NC surface-capping agents.

The ethics of xenotransplantation: a survey of student attitudes.

Xenotransplantation is a burgeoning technology that could provide a solution to the shortage of organs and tissue for transplantation. It does, however, raise many moral and ethical dilemmas. The aim of this study was to evaluate undergraduate university students' knowledge and opinions on the controversial practice. Choice of science or arts subjects and gender were also assessed to establish if they were influencing factors. A total of 100 students, 50 science students and 50 arts students, answered a questionnaire. Seventy-seven percent of the students had heard of xenotransplantation, 66% believed it would be beneficial to society and only 45% believed it to be ethically and morally acceptable. The medical need for organs was highlighted as the most important argument in favour, and the risk of infection was revealed to be the most important argument against xenotransplantation. The students would significantly prefer a human to non-human animal organ, and did not believe the genetic modification of animals for transplantation was ethically acceptable. This study, in general, did not find that knowledge and acceptance of xenotransplantation was associated with subject background (i.e., science or arts courses) or gender.

Nanoparticle agglutination: acceleration of aggregation rates and broadening of the analyte concentration range using mixtures of various-sized nanoparticles.

SiO(2) particles of various sizes were prepared and surface modified with biotin-chain-end-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol). Dispersions of these particles were prepared, and their aggregation was induced upon the addition of avidin. The aggregate size and growth rate were monitored by DLS analysis, and SEM and TEM images of freeze-dried samples of the aggregate solutions were used to confirm the DLS data and to image the aggregate size and dimension. A linear correspondence between apparent diameter and time was observed, and both the 20 and 300 nm particles aggregated at slower rates than for the 40 nm particles. These observations were attributed to differences in the average functionality of the systems and the different initial concentrations of particles and avidin. The observed aggregation rates of binary combinations of the three particle sizes (i.e., 20 + 40 nm or 40 + 300 nm) were faster than those of the single-sized mixtures. These results were attributed to the faster flux of smaller particles toward larger particles in the mixture solutions as well as to the potentially larger number of productive collisions possible between mixtures of small particles and large particles versus only similarly sized particles. Combinations of the three sizes of particles were studied to find an empirical optimum formulation for generating large aggregates on a short time scale and over a wide range of analyte concentrations.

Quantitative determination of the chemical composition of silica-poly(norbornene) nanocomposites.

Nanoparticle hybrid materials consisting of a silica core surrounded by a poly(norbornene) brush have been prepared by ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). A quantitative determination of each stage of composite formation has been accomplished, including a determination of the density of surface-bound functional groups, catalyst molecules, and polymer chains. This analysis has enabled the determination of the reaction efficiency between the catalyst and the surface-bound functional groups as well as the determination of the fraction of metal-mediating species that initiate a polymer chain. Control of the chain density was demonstrated by two methods: the use of controlled reaction times between the catalyst and the surface, and the variation of the surface functional group density. Polymer chain densities resulting from composites prepared with different tether structures will also be reported. The resulting brush densities were found to span a wide range, including those previously reported for polymer layers formed by adsorption, grafting of preformed polymer chains, and surface-initiated polymerization (SIP).

Metastatic bone disease--the orthopaedic workload.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, the British Association of Surgical Oncology (BASO) published its guidelines for the management of metastatic bone disease in breast cancer in the UK, highlighting the role of the orthopaedic surgeon as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. AIM: To establish the workload to our department of metastatic bone disease. METHODS: A prospective study was performed over a 6-month period aiming to study factors affecting length of stay, whether BASO recommendations were being adhered to for metastatic breast disease and whether BASO recommendations could be extended to other forms of metastatic bone disease. RESULTS: 36 patients were referred to the orthopaedic department during the study period. The majority of the patients were referred as emergencies, 83% of patients were seen by an orthopaedic consultant on the day of referral but only 27% were seen by the orthopaedic cancer liaison consultant. Only 16 patients required a therapeutic operative intervention and length of in-patient stay was increased by not having a known primary carcinoma at admission. Patients with bone metastases discussed at the breast cancer multidisciplinary meeting were also studied as were patients with bone metastases presenting to the oncology service. It was found that there was little overlap between these groups and our study group. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic bone disease does form a workload to the orthopaedic department and BASO recommendations are generally followed for breast disease. The BASO recommendations could be extended to other tumours; however, it should be recognised that there is a significant workload involved and a need for sufficient resources to allow a high quality and timely service.

Gender-specific proteomic alterations in glycolytic and mitochondrial pathways in aging monkey hearts.

We utilized proteomic techniques in a primate model (Macaca fascicularis) of aging to determine potential mechanisms to explain gender differences in protection of the aging heart. The majority of prior work in this field utilized rodent models, and importantly no prior study utilized a proteomic approach in the aging heart. We studied changes in proteins in seven monkeys in each group (young and old males and females (YMs, OMs, YFs, and OFs, respectively)), and used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in combination with mass spectrometry in five monkeys in each group. We found decreases (P < 0.05) in the expression of key enzymes in glycolysis (e.g. pyruvate kinase, alpha-enolase, triosephosphate isomerase), glucose oxidation (e.g. pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 beta-subunit), and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) in left ventricular (LV) samples from OM monkeys; these changes in glycolytic, glucose oxidation, and TCA enzymes were not observed either in YMs, YFs or OFs. We found additional gender differences in the reduced expression and function of proteins that are responsible for electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria only in hearts from OM monkeys, with corresponding decreased oxidation rates with NADH and ascorbate-N,N,N',N' ''-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine substrates. The changes in glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolic pathways in OM monkey hearts are similar to changes observed in hearts affected by diabetes or LV dysfunction, and could be involved in the mechanism for the cardiomyopathy of aging. The sparing of these changes in OF hearts could be involved in the mechanism mediating delayed cardiovascular risk in OFs.